Der Hayr's Weekly Message

Scripture Readings:  Isaiah-51:15-52:3-Hebrews 13:18-25-Luke 22:24-30

The first thought that goes through my mind as we begin to usher in a New Year is that I take a little time to look back on the previous 365 days and contemplate in my mind and thoughts about what I could possible change for the better in the year 2008, and of course there are so may things that come to mind but the most important one is that I will do everything humanly possible to be more faithful and thankful to God for everything that I am blessed with in this life.
As we are all well aware actions speak louder than words and like it or not we many times do not like to hear the truth about ourselves when it comes to thinking about lax we are in terms of a faithful practice of our Christianity, so perhaps the best gift that we can give to ourselves this Christmas and in the New Year maybe to give ourselves more time to practice and nurture our faith and just maybe our lives would become less stressful and more fulfilling, now imagine if someone gave us a gift certificate to go to Church for one years I often wonder how many Of us would use that gift that has been given to us so freely?
It is worth giving some thought to is it not, that we ought to think about giving gift certificates for Church attendance, it certainly is the type of gift that keeps giving back to us all year long. This past week while driving I saw a sign in front of a local Baptist Church which said:
Pray with us during Christmas & New Years and avoid the rush!!!!
I could not have said it better myself but we can avoid that rush all year round by realizing that Christianity is not a convenience nor a product for the consumer, it is a belief in God who came to us in the person of Jesus Christ to dwell among us and save us from our sins. St. Paul wrote: Let all proclaim to the glory of the Father Jesus Christ is Lord!

Please pray for the sick, confined and those who are recovering:
Yeretzgeen Rosemary Davidian, Yeretzgeen Patricia Dagley, Berj Karibian, Sarkis Minasian, Carolyn Dagley, John Barberian, Zabelle Varadian, Hagop Garavanian, Mary Lucchesi

Requiems for Sunday December 30th, 2007:
~ In memory of Mary Donigian- 1st year
Requested by- Selma Apovian
~ In memory of Alex & Daniel Blanaru, Garabed & Bayzar Arsenian
Requested by- Seranoush Blanaru
~  In memory of Mayranoush Matevosian- 40th day
Requested by- Stella Ghazarian

Requiems for Sunday December 23rd, 2007:
~  In memory of Avedis Demoorjian, Fred & June Conley
Requested by- Paul & Beverly Demoorjian

Today’s Altar flowers are donated Selma Apovian in loving memory of Mary Donigian on the first anniversary of her passing. Sincere thanks for your kindness and generosity and may her memory be eternal

Sunday January 6th- Christmas Day- Sunday School Pageant and Christmas Party will follow the Divine Liturgy.

Anyone wishing to have their home blessed during the Feast of the Nativity should contact the Church Office or feel free to contact Fr. Vartan at home to arrange an appropriate time.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 2007 TO BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE OR HOLD

OFFICE IN 2008